Confidential Memo
| Date: | April 23, 2019 | |
| Subject: | Root Cause Analysis plan | |
| From: | Production department manager | |
| Company: | Kibby and Strand | |
| To: | Operations Manager | |
| Company: | Kibby and Strand | |
Last month, Kibby and Strand received many complaints from customers about the quality of the products. Most of the customers complained that some stitching on T-shirts was weak and the sizes of socks did not meet their specification. Thus, the operations manager required for a Root Analysis Course (RCA)to be conducted.
A Root Cause Analysis helps to identify the initial cause of the problem to prevent a similar occurrence. Step one in the RCA is first to define the challenge currently facing Kibby and Strand. The second step is to collect data from all affected bodies. In this case, data will be collected from customers, the production department and the sales and marketing department. Step three is to identify possible causal factors. Therefore, the RCA will find out why customers have been receiving incomplete orders. Stage four of the RCA will be to identify the root cause. The fifth and final step is to recommend and implement solutions. The RCA will be useful because it will help identify other problems other than the major one. Employees and customers will participate in the exercise to ensure precise results which will lead to practical solutions.
It is essential to improve manufacturing quality to cut extra production costs — Jason Piatt, in his article, details five critical steps in improving manufacturing quality. The first step is to use a team mindset. It is vital that all employees of K&S understand their importance to the growth of the company. Excellent working conditions must be set to reach maximum productivity. The second step is to define quality from the customer perspective. It is essential to understand what customers need and give them precisely that. The third step is to develop an organizational understanding of the cost of quality. The manufacturing staff should be trained and made to understand the importance of quality in maintaining reputation. The fourth step is to solve problems completely. It is crucial to find permanent solutions to any issues that arise in a company. The fifth and final step is to employ a strong process discipline. An organization should maintain consistency in their procedures.
References
Mind Tools. (2018). Root Cause Analysis; Tracing a problem to its Origins. Retrieved April 23, 2019, from Mind Tools: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_80.htm
Piatt, J. (2014, October 7). Five Steps to Improved Manufacturing Quality. Retrieved April 23, 2019, from Industry Week: https://www.industryweek.com/5-steps-quality
WHAT IS A ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS? (2019). Retrieved April 23, 2019, from THINK RELIABILITY: https://www.thinkreliability.com/cause-mapping/what-is-root-cause-analysis/